SP1TZBP]HGEN AND GREENLAND. 137 



as it were a round and thick stalk that goes just into the 

 middle of the head. It hath a blue button or knob, that is 

 as thick again as the stalk, and this upper part may also be 

 compared unto such a straw hat as our women wear. From 

 the stalk downwards it doth grow thick again and round, 

 yet it is a great deal less than the button. I have seen them 

 force themselves up from below, and then from the top down 

 again, just as a stick that is forced down underneath the 

 water reboundeth up again. I got them in the North-Sea, 

 between Holhj-Land and the Elbe, where the sea-water 

 mingles with that of the Elbe. I have also seen them at 

 Kuclh s-haten in the Elbe ; and I am also informed that 

 sometimes they come as far down as to Freyhurg. By reason 

 of its shape, it may be called the hat slime-Jlsh, or stalk 

 slime-Jish. 



4. Of the Roselike- shaped Slime-fish. 



This Slime-fish is as round as a circle, yet in his circum- 

 ference between his double strokes a little indented, the rays 

 spring out single from the middle of the body, and there are 

 sixteen of them in number, but they divide themselves into 

 two branches, where they run somewhat closer together, and 

 are split in two. The body thereof is white and transparent, 

 as is mentioned before ; he draws it together, and oj)ens it 

 again as he pleaseth ; but the rays or spokes are brownish 

 red. On the end of these spokes, towards the outer circum- 

 ference, are several sj^ots, thirty-two in number. In the 

 middle of this plate is another small circle, and from the 

 circumference of that the before-named spokes begin. It 

 is hollow within, which cavity may perhaps be his belly, 

 wherein I found two or three of the small shrimps.^ Round 

 about did hang down seven brown small threads, like spun 

 silk, or like unto the threads that flye in the air about 



^ Probalily Metoecus medusarum or a Phronima. 



18 



